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Three Mississippi bishops issued a joint statement Thursday urging President Donald Trump to use a weekend visit for the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to acknowledge the sacrifices of those involved in the movement.

The statement came as fallout continued over Trump's plans to attend the Saturday opening. Gov. Phil Bryant invited Trump, but detractors see his attendance as inappropriate.

"Without overlooking President Trump's provocative statements surrounding racial strife in our nation," the statement reads, "our fervent hope is that the President will use his attendance at the opening ... to acknowledge the sacrifice and witness of countless individuals who offered themselves, their souls and bodies, to eliminate injustice and oppression in our State."

The statement is signed by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Bishop Brian R. Seage of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and Bishop James E. Swanson of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.

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Mississippi is marking its bicentennial by opening two history museums that take an unflinching look at the state’s past - complete with displays of slave chains, Ku Klux Klan robes and graphic photos of lynchings and firebombings. (Dec. 5)

In addition to the Civil Rights Museum opening, Bryant, a Republican and Trump supporter, invited the President to come to Jackson to celebrate the Museum of Mississippi History opening. It also opens Saturday. The openings are part of the state's 200th birthday celebration.

Since the announcement of Trump's attendance several days ago, criticism has grown.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he won't attend the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum because President Trump will be there.(Photo: Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY)

Reps. John Lewis, D-Georgia, and Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., have said they will not attend the opening because of Trump's presence. In a joint statement, they urged others to stay away until Trump leaves.

"Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum," the two Congressmen said in a joint statement. "The struggles represented in this museum exemplify the truth of what really happened in Mississippi. President Trump’s disparaging comments about women, the disabled, immigrants and National Football League players disrespect the efforts of Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and countless others who have given their all for Mississippi to be a better place."

They added: "We encourage all Mississippians and Americans to visit this historic civil rights museum" after Trump's visit.